PNW Women’s Soccer Defeats Illinois-Springfield for First Home Win of Season
HAMMOND, Ind. — The Purdue Northwest women’s soccer team earned their second win of the season Thursday as they took down the University of Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars 1-0 at Dowling Park. Freshman Sydney Hanson (Alma, Mich./Alma Senior) tallied the goal for the Pride off of a deflection in the 64th minute.
The match was scoreless through the first 45 minutes, as neither team was able to find the back of the net. PNW had several chances, as seniors Shayna Coy (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Luers) and Shelby Ross (Marquette, Mich./Columbus North) had chances that just missed the target.
In the second half, the stalemate continued until the 64th, when a shot from sophomore Brook Switzer (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson) was blocked and Hanson found herself in the right place at the right time to punch in the decisive goal.
Goalkeeper Kelley Sharp (Seymour, Ind./Seymour) got her first start of the season, playing all 90 minutes and putting up an impressive eight saves as she gets the first victory and clean sheet of her senior season.
The team will be back in action Saturday as they face Southern Indiana at Dowling Park as a part of the PNW Fall Sports Festival. The women will play at 12:30, right after the PNW men’s soccer team takes on Illinois-Springfield.